Tinnitus Assessment and Treatment

Tinnitus is the perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound. It often manifests as ringing or humming in one or both ears. It is a symptom rather than a disease, and can have a number of causes including hearing loss, exposure to loud sounds, ear wax impaction, extreme stress, some prescription and non-prescription drugs as well as many other causes.

Tinnitus is very common with approximately 17–20% of general population experiencing tinnitus ranging from mild to severe. This percentage increases to 30% for people over 55, possibly because of its association with hearing loss.

Hyperacusis is a condition of hypersensitivity to certain sounds. People with this condition often find certain sounds intolerably loud where others in the general population would not. It can be caused by disorders of the hearing organ or nerves, dysfunctions of the balance system, psychological conditions, certain syndromic conditions as well as other causes. It is hypothesized that in many cases the mechanisms of hyperacusis are very similar to those thought to cause bothersome tinnitus.

There are many devices, medications, supplements and other proposed treatments available for the treatment of tinnitus and hyperacusis, some of which cost thousands of dollars. Unfortunately most of these treatment options have not been rigorously clinically trialled. In this way there is little evidence to support whether they in fact make any impact on tinnitus or hyperacusis. Some may even make the condition worse.

At Canberra Audiology, we only support the use of research-based methods for the treatment of tinnitus and hyperacusis.